The heritability of weight appears to be: A. virtually impossible to demonstrate. B. very low. C. in the range of \(60 \%-70 \%\) D. irrelevant to the understanding of obesity.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The heritability of weight is in the range of 60% - 70%.

Step by step solution

01

Overview of heritability

Heritability is a measure of how much genetic factors contribute to the variation in a certain trait within a population. It is expressed as a percentage, with higher values indicating a larger contribution of genetic factors and lower values indicating a larger contribution of environmental factors.
02

Evaluate option A

Option A states that heritability of weight is "virtually impossible to demonstrate." However, studies on twins and family resemblances have shown that there is a significant genetic component in weight, which means it is not impossible to demonstrate. Thus, option A is not correct.
03

Evaluate option B

Option B states that heritability of weight is "very low." This statement would imply that environmental factors have a much larger influence on body weight than genetic factors. While environmental factors like diet and lifestyle do play a role in determining weight, research has shown that genetic factors also have a significant impact. So, option B is not the most accurate description.
04

Evaluate option C

Option C states that heritability of weight is "in the range of \(60 \% - 70 \%\)." This means that the genetic factors contribute to \(60 \% - 70 \%\) of the variation in weight within a population, while environmental factors contribute to the remaining \(30 \% - 40 \%\). This statement is supported by various studies and is the most accurate description of weight heritability among the given options. Thus, option C is the correct answer.
05

Evaluate option D

Option D states that heritability of weight is "irrelevant to the understanding of obesity." This statement is not accurate because understanding the role of genetics in weight regulation is essential for developing effective obesity prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, knowledge of heritability can help identify individuals who are more susceptible to obesity due to their genetic makeup. Therefore, option D is not correct.
06

Conclusion

Based on the evaluation of each option, the correct answer is option C: heritability of weight is in the range of \(60 \% - 70 \%\).

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